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Journalists have been getting the opportunity to play around with the BMW i8 for the past week and Road and Track is the first of the bunch to post some independent test numbers. How is the i8 performing? Pretty well considering the output and the three-cylinder motor. 0-60 thanks to the instant torque from the electric motor makes 60 come in 3.8 seconds. That is very quick and a great time for a vehicle with this level of efficiency.

What about the 1/4 mile? 12.3 @ 114 or just quicker than a stock E92 M3. Based on the figures it looks likes an i8 off the line would beat the previous generation M3 from a stop and the race from a roll would likely favor the M3 as speeds rise.

The curb weight is a relatively lightweight 3380 pounds. Another way to look at the weight is that the car is lighter than new F80 M3. Weight distribution is a very nice 48.5% front to 51.5% rear.

The car performs as expected and considering the 1.5 liter turbo three-cylinder with only 231 horsepower and the rest of the output coming from two electric motors good for a total of 357 horsepower it is quite efficient. Less power than an E92 M3, but just as fast. 420 lb-ft of torque certainly doesn't hurt.

It makes you wonder how good this car would be if they just gave it the N20 four-cylinder instead for some serious punch at this $135k price level.

That's pretty impressive. Considering this thing has two electronic motors and an engine, it's weight of 3380 shows how much weight can really be shaven when low-weight is truly the engineering goal. Even 0-100 is on par with an M3 - I would have expected the lower power to show by this speed. This shows how much weight really matters - 357 HP and keeps up with a 420 HP V-8... Not too shabby.

On another note, if they priced it well, I really believe a car like this would outsell Tesla; why they don't target that price is beyond me.

Hell, even the 3 cylinder is probably capable of more power than that. I'd say 275 wouldn't be a problem. Just had an idea...what if the hypothetical "S20" for a hypothetical M2 could be slotted into the i8 for an "i8M" with perhaps also a bit more electric power...keeps the weight down, maybe almost doubles the power (?) of the ICE, and with some additional weight-savings measures, could come in at maybe 3300 pounds, maybe even less. Give it the ceramic brakes and some decently sized wheels and tires and it could be a world-beater like that. Just imagine, over 500 hp and maybe even more torque.

hat if the hypothetical "S20" for a hypothetical M2 could be slotted into the i8 for an "i8M" with perhaps also a bit more electric power...keeps the weight down, maybe almost doubles the power (?) of the ICE, and with some additional weight-savings measures, could come in at maybe 3300 pounds, maybe even less. Give it the ceramic brakes and some decently sized wheels and tires and it could be a world-beater like that. Just imagine, over 500 hp and maybe even more torque.

BMW would probably get my money. What you proposed makes all the sense in the world. That's probably why it won't happen.

Yeah at the Tokyo Motor Show Honda announced the V6 will have twin turbos. They also confirmed a dual clutch transmission. Also the engine will be bespoke to the NSX, not shared with any other Honda product.

With Honda going back to F1 and supplying engines for McLaren. The new rules/regulations in F1 should help them develop the new NSX hybrid powertrain.

I hope Honda gets going on the NSX with some concrete details. Twin turbo V6, electric motor with all wheel drive, and a $110k price tag? Really? I don't know how they will keep it that cheap with the GTR poking over $100k now.